Australia’s Daria Gavrilova comes to Canberra for Fed Cup action against Ukraine. (Photo by Rob Keating)
Head-to-head, Ukraine holds a 3-1 advantage over Australia in Fed Cup tennis, and just last year they defeated Australia in Ukraine.
This time around the odds are heavily stacked in favour of the Aussies. Ukraine’s world no. 3, Elena Svitolina decided to not join her team to contest a tie on grass. Other top choices are also not here in Canberra.
Ukraine has put all their faith in the hands of 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk who has a singles ranking of 185. Kostyuk teams up with the Kichenok twins, Lyudmyla and Nadiia. Lyudmyla is ranked at 883 and will be facing Australia’s Ash Barty to open the tie. Barty is Australia’s top ranked player at 16 and she teams up with the 26th ranked Daria Gavrilova and Casey Dellacqua.
Marta Kostyuk prepares to serve during practice
Kostyuk put her name in lights with a third-round showing at the Australian Open, before being soundly defeated by Svitolina in the fourth round.
Australia had the choice of surface and selected grass to nullify Svitolina, it worked so well that she did not even step out on court. Barty has shown good form on grass and should be able to lead Australia to victory in this tie.
Ash Barty heads the Australian team for Fed Cup action against an understrength Ukraine.
The first singles match starts at 11am.
11.00 am – Ashleigh Barty (AUS) vs Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR)
Followed by Daria Gavrilova (AUS) vs Marta Kostyuk (UKR)
Lyudmyla Kichenok hits a forehand during practice at the Canberra Tennis Centre.
